Stage win and GC lead for Astana as they enjoy a great day on Green Mountain on stage 5 of the Tour of Oman

Team News: Tour of Oman stage 5

Tour of Oman. Double success for Astana Team atop Green Mountain

Definitely, it was a day of Astana Pro Team at the Tour of Oman. The whole team did an incredible race during the queen stage 5, while later, Miguel Angel Lopez and Alexey Lutsenko provided a great show on the slopes of the famous climb Green Mountain.

Finally, after huge support of the team, both riders made a double attack with 1,5 km to go, which led to a double success: Miguel Angel Lopez won the stage, while Alexey Lutsenko finished second, taking the red jersey of the general classification leader.

Miguel Angel Lopez: “A very nice day for us! I am so happy to win today and see next to me this amazing team as Astana is! I felt very strong today, the legs worked perfectly on the climb. Actually, nobody could attack on the final climb, so we just followed our plan and after a great job of our teammates we went away together with Alexey. Of course, the climb was super hard, but we managed to pass it as we wanted and finally, we took the stage. That’s a nice feeling to win here and to start my season in this way!” – explained Miguel Angel Lopez behind the podium. … continued after advert

Alexey Lutsenko: First of all I want to thank my team. The guys were incredible today! All the team stayed together, focused and motivated, from kilometer 0 to the finish line. What a great job during the stage did Nikita Stalnov! Also, Tanel Kangert and Omar Fraile provided a big support to us. Yesterday winner Magnus Cort also was there in front to help.

“On the final climb there was Jan Hirt, who did absolutely stunning work in front, providing us a place for attack. Inside the last 2 km of the race there were only three riders of Astana Team in front and that’s was something special. Miguel Angel was the strongest rider on this climb today and his win is more than well deserved. In the same time, I am enjoying now my red jersey. We still have a stage to do, so in this moment I don’t think about the possible overall victory and want to focus on this last day” said Alexey Lutsenko.… continued after advert

Shortly after the start in Samoil a break of 6 riders went away to open a 5-minute gap. The break did a strong race and was caught somewhere at the first kilometers of the final climb. Astana Team did a perfect job in front of the peloton the whole day, taking the race under control. With 3 km to go it was Jan Hirt, who went in front to lead a small group of favorites and only Miguel Angel Lopez, Alexey Lutsenko and Gorka Izagirre were able to follow him. Later, two Astana riders did an attack to come together to the finish line and to share between them this team’s success. The Spaniard Jesus Herrada finished third.

With only one stage to go Alexey Lutsenko leads the general classification of the Tour of Oman, having 11 seconds of advantage to Miguel Angel Lopez and 28 seconds to Gorka Izagirre. Miguel Angel Lopez holds the white jersey of the best young rider, while Astana leads the team’s classification.

Stage 6 of the race will be held tomorrow: 135,5 km from Al Mouj Muscat to Matrah Corniche.